Ultrasound quality inspection of avian eggs

ABSTRACT

A method for making a quality determination in avian eggs, such as relating to fertility or hatching or hatchling viability, comprises the following activities. A process line is equipped to process an endless succession of eggs at an early opportunity. The process line has an ultrasound inspection station for the eggs. The ultrasound inspection results are analyzed to make a finding correlatable to the egg&#39;s shell quality, which in turn is correlatable to such quality factors as fertility or hatching or hatchling viability. A sorting determination is made based on this analysis as to which output category the egg should be sorted. The output categories might number three or so including qualified premium as for graduation to hatchery operation, not qualified for hatchery but not waste, and flunked because unusable and hence waste. The intermediate category might include graded for pet consumption.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO PROVISIONAL APPLICATION(S)

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 60/269,281, filed Feb. 16, 2001, which is incorporatedherein in full by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The invention relates to non-invasive inspection of avian eggs tomake a quality finding and, more particularly, using ultrasoundinspection of avian eggs to make a quality finding such as fertility orviability or of other indicia of relative usability, and in consequenceof the finding sorting the eggs in at least two and preferably three ormore categories.

[0004] A number of additional features and objects will be apparent inconnection with the following discussion of preferred embodiments andexamples.

[0005] 2. Prior Art

[0006] It is known to use nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) ofavian eggs to make a sex and possibly fertility determination. U.S. Pat.No. 6,029,080—Reynnells et al. However the process of nuclear magneticresonance imaging (MRI) of avian eggs to make a non-invasivedetermination of any kind will be beset with problems.

[0007] The MRI equipment requires a very high capital investment and hasunproven reliability. The economics of egg producing operations do notallow purchase of a back up system or expensive components in case offailures of the main system. The MRI equipment is stationed to catcheggs in transit during egg transfer operations. Egg transfer operationscannot be idled for even thirty (30) minutes or else thousands to tensof thousands of eggs will spoil.

[0008] The MRI image is in fact a virtually perfect slice of the eggthrough a given plane. However, the internal structures that allow a sexor fertility determination are hard to make out in such a perfect slice.Indeed U.S. patent of Reynnells et al. discloses quite distinctly howthe egg must be oriented in a just so orientation, and then multipleimages are taken on 0.5 mm spacings (ie., 50 slices per inch). Afterthat, the best slice has to be determined because next, analysisrequires finding a reference marker (eg., eyes or eye sockets) away fromwhich origin a succeeding finding of the sex marker is paced.

[0009] Correspondingly, not only must an image from an optimum plane beobtained, the image must be analyzed for subtle features. Just as humanscan be trained to develop the right “feel” for vent sexing poults,humans might develop an “instinct” for the when all the rightcombination of factors in a given MRI image suggest a givendetermination. But human analysis is unfeasible for lack of speed.Computers, though inherently speedy, lack instinct. Computers are farless reliable than humans at making determinations based on subtlefactors. Harvard professor Stephen Jay Gould has quipped that to date“artificial intelligence” has yet to obtain merely the level of acockroach.

[0010] It is reported that the MRI process requires cooling the eggstemporarily until the images are obtained. Eg., U.S. Pat. No.6,029,080—Reynnells et al. Seasoned egg production workers are skepticalof that. Long custom has been to keep eggs in a carefully regulatedenvironment of controlled warmth and humidity. Also, the nuclear MRIradiation just might be worrisome as a death ray to the germ of fresheggs from the brood farm.

[0011] If egg production operations would consider adopting MRItechniques, they'd next have to face paying MRI certified operators atpay scales really unfamiliar in the egg production world.

[0012] In sum, the MRI process appears to be an ivory tower solution toa down and dirty problem. State of the art brood farms are known toproduce a million (1,000,000) eggs a day. Yet margins are razor thin.The requirement for reliability in the methods relied on is paramount.

[0013] The investment in an MRI inspection process costs top dollar. Yetif the MRI inspection equipment goes out then the whole efficiency ofthe operation is impeded. If an MRI apparatus including its coil wentdown, it would simply have been cost prohibitive to own a back up incase of failures. There would be no reserve equipment to switch to orchange out to in case of failures.

[0014] Given the foregoing seasoned veterans are skeptical of thefeasibility of nuclear magnetic resonance imaging in poultry operations.The technology appears best left in hospitals where the throughput ratemight be one to ten (1 to 10) patients an hour rather than millions ofeggs a day.

[0015] Nevertheless, efficiency and optimization are paramount inpoultry operations. Accordingly, poultry operations would benefit fromany reasonably cost-justifiable method for culling poor unqualified eggsfrom the process stream at opportune times, such as during transfer frombrood operations to hatchery operations.

[0016] What is needed is an improvement in culling unqualified eggswhich overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0017] It is an object of the invention to oscillate the shell of avianeggs to make a finding of shell quality.

[0018] It is another object of the invention to correlate the finding ofshell quality to egg quality in terms of fertility or hatching orhatchling viability, or else in terms of any other usability criterion.

[0019] It is an additional object of the invention to oscillate theshell of avian eggs by means of acoustic energy.

[0020] It is an alternate object of the invention to oscillate the shellof avian eggs by means of a non-contact source of ultrasound.

[0021] It is a further object of the invention to detect such shelloscillations by means of a non-contact ultrasound transducer.

[0022] These and other aspects and objects are provided according to theinvention in a method and apparatus for determining whether avian eggsare qualified or unqualified for a premium quality based on shellcharacteristics. The preferred method in accordance with the inventioncomprising the steps of providing a plurality of the eggs, oscillatingthe shell of each egg by a non-contacting source of ultrasonic waves toproduce such a signal from the shell oscillation that is detectable by anon-contacting detector; and then determining whether the egg isqualified or not from analysis of the signal.

[0023] Preferably the detected signal is manipulated into a profilecomprising detected signal strength versus time. This profile comprisesan information portion that is analyzed for a positive indication ofpremium grade that is preferably characterized by at least onesufficiently steady and strong peak. The analysis of the detected morepreferentially comprises integrated response (IR) analysis of thedetected signal's strength versus time values.

[0024] Optionally, the profile's information portion is analyzed foreither or both a positive indication of premium grade, which as beforeis characterized by at least one sufficiently steady and strong peak,and/or a negative indication of premium grade that is characterized byrelatively unsteady and weak signals across the width of the informationportion.

[0025] In general, the positive indication of premium grade iscorrelatable to egg shell quality. In turn, egg shell quality isassociated with a quality determination of the avian egg as a whole interms of relating to fertility or hatching or hatchling viability.

[0026] The foregoing is advantageous for poultry and turkey farms havinghatchery operations because the eggs sorted into the premium grade aregraduated to hatchery operations. The other eggs are removed and eitherdiscarded or perhaps sorted for alternative other use such as petconsumption.

[0027] A number of additional features and objects will be apparent inconnection with the following discussion of preferred embodiments andexamples.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] There are shown in the drawings certain exemplary embodiments ofthe invention as presently preferred. It should be understood that theinvention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed as examples, andis capable of variation within the scope of the appended claims. In thedrawings,

[0029]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an apparatus for ultrasoundquality inspection of avian eggs in accordance with the invention,wherein a given egg is disposed between a source and a detector ofultrasonic energy, the detected signal obtained thereby allowinganalysis to make such a quality finding as fertility, viability or otherrelative usability;

[0030]FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line II-II inFIG. 1 and which illustrates oscillations induced in the egg shell bythe source transducer, wherein the distortion in the egg shell isillustrated on a gross scale for visual emphasis only;

[0031]FIG. 3 is a graph obtainable from a display of a signal analyzer(eg., for processing the output of the detector of FIG. 1), wherein thegraph shows a profile of detected signal strength versus time for thespecial case of the source signal transiting across the gap to thedetector without interposition of any object therebetween especially anegg (ie., therefore just through air), whereby the graph illustrates anexample reference profile of detected signal strength versus time forsuch base factors as present air temperature and humidity as well asamong various other things the distance of the gap between thetransducers; such profiles in general consequently allowing analysis forsuch values as time-of-flight or velocity of the source signal, anintegrated response of a selected peak or alternatively an integratedresponse across a selected bandwidth and so on;

[0032]FIG. 4 is a comparable graph except showing an example profile forthe representative case of a quality egg interposed between the sourceand detector, wherein even though the source signal's strength isdiminished by greater than 99.9%, the information portion of thedetected signal (ie., to the left of the gate) appears to ring strongand steady on at least one or two characteristic peaks;

[0033]FIG. 5 is a graph comparable to FIG. 4 except showing for contrastan illustrative case of an unqualified egg interposed between the sourceand detector, wherein not only is the source signal's strengthdiminished by greater than 99.9% but also the information portion of thedetected signal (ie., to the left of the gate) is weaker and appears toclang unsteadily;

[0034]FIG. 6 is a graph showing a profile of hatchlings lost (per100,000 eggs) versus time based on data pertaining to turkey operations;and

[0035]FIG. 7 is a block diagram flow chart of the method in accordancewith the invention for providing ultrasound quality inspection andsorting of avian eggs, wherein the quality determination comprises anyor fertility, viability or other usability.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0036]FIG. 1 shows an apparatus 54 for ultrasound quality inspection ofavian eggs 51 in accordance with the invention, and as arranged in apreferred manner of operation.

[0037] The assumptions which underpin the inventive apparatus and methodare, briefly, as follows. Ultrasonic energy is used to “ring” an egg 51like a hammer tap rings a bell. The ringing egg is listened to. If theegg rings clear and strong in one or two or more characteristic modes ofoscillation, the shell is reckoned as being of good quality. If not or,that is, if the egg clangs like an old metal platter dropped on thefloor, the shell is reckoned as being of poor quality.

[0038] Importantly, the quality of the shell is reckoned as directlycorresponding to the quality of hatchling viability. It is consideredthat poor shell quality is a symptom of various bad causes or badindicators. To list a few, it is reckoned that poor shell qualityindicates a cracked shell, or one compromised by micro-fractures, aporous shell, or an especially thin shell. Cracked, micro-fractured,porous and/or thin shells are unsuitable barriers to diseases andcontaminants. It is known that poor shell quality allows diseases toenter and incubate inside the egg. These diseases like salmonella andmycoplasma spread from poult to poult when the bird emerges from theshell. Also, cracked, micro-fractured, porous and/or thin shells areunsuitable containers of moisture. Sometimes a bird hatches “pip alive”but dies in the struggle to get out of the shell or soon after. Afrequent cause of this is weakness from dehydration.

[0039] More speculatively, it is also reckoned that poor shell qualitycould also be an indication if the blastoderm is already or nearly dead.The life of the blastoderm sustains the growing process of the egg as awhole including, presumptively, the health of the membrane lining theshell as well as even possibly the integrity of the shell in matters asabsence of undue thinness or porosity and so on. Again, too muchporosity is bad because the egg contents are then vulnerable todehydration among other things.

[0040] To return to FIG. 1, it shows a pair of non-contactingtransducers 60 and 62 arranged in opposition to each other. Non-contactultrasound is highly preferred so as to avoid a liquid couple betweenthe transducers and shell 64. It is feared that any liquid couple willcause intolerable problems. The non-contact probes do not subject theegg to any more harmful elements than already present in the controlledenvironment of brood, transfer and/or hatchery operations. Theultrasonic energy is transmitted from point to point. One transducer 60serves as the source relative to its opposite number which serves as thedetector 62. Example transducers suitable for the purpose includewithout limitation model nos. NCT 102 transducers of SecondWave Systems,Inc., State College, Pa., which transducers are characterized asnominally operating on a 200kHz frequency and having a planar 25 mmactive area diameter.

[0041] Not shown in FIG. 1 (but indicated generally as portions of oneor more blocks 54 and 55 in FIG. 7) is a signal analyzer which isutilized for among other things processing the feed and detected signalsof the source 60 and detector 62 respectively. An example non-contactultrasound signal analyzer suitable for the purpose includes withoutlimitation model no. NCA-1000-2En also of SecondWave Systems, Inc.,State College, Pa. Given the foregoing, an egg 51 is disposed betweenthe source 60 and detector 62 for an ultrasound quality inspection inaccordance with the invention. Whereas the egg 51 is shown suspended byits pointed end from an inverted suction cup 66, the egg 51 could besupported in alternative other fashions without limitation.

[0042]FIG. 1 shows the source transducer transmitting a beam ofultrasound energy that slams into one side (or the left side given theperspective of FIG. 1) of the egg 51. In a typical arrangement with theabove-identified transducers, the source and detector might be space 11cm (4⅓inches) apart. It is fairly well estimated that about 99.9% of thesource energy is reflected by the egg shell 64 because of, in technicallanguage, the mismatch between the acoustic impedance of air and theshell 64. On the opposite side (or right side given the perspective ofFIG. 1) of the egg, the detector 62 is listening for those components orportions of the source energy that reach it.

[0043]FIG. 2 is a depiction for convenience of illustrative purposesonly presumptively showing the dynamic oscillations induced in the shell64 by the source signal. The egg shell 64 vibrates or oscillatessomewhat as shown, although clearly not on such a gross scale as drawn,according to one or more characteristic modes of oscillation. See, eg.,A. H. Benade, “Fundamentals of Musical Acoustics” (New York: Dover1991). The shell 64 comprises a surface which is, needless to say, ovoidshaped. It will have modes of oscillations characteristic to transitaround its “equator,” or the hoop through which cutting line II-II istaken. In addition, the shell 64 surface will presumptively also havemodes of oscillation characteristic to circumnavigation transit aroundits poles. FIG. 2 provides illustrative depiction of wave energytransiting around the equator of the egg 51 as suspended in FIG. 1.

[0044]FIGS. 3 through 5 are series of comparable views of graphs. Eachgraph shows a profile of detected signal strength versus time. FIG. 3shows a graph of a set-up test in the absence of an egg. FIG. 4 showsone representative example profile of a good quality egg. FIG. 5 showsone representative profile of an unqualified egg.

[0045] Preliminarily, the judgements of whether egg and/or egg shellquality is good or bad, or qualified or unqualified, were obtainedthrough trials with actual eggs. Batches of eggs were inspected by theabove-described non-contact ultrasound equipment and results wererecorded. Some eggs were immediately broken open for examination of thecontents including the blastoderm for such visual determinations asalive and healthy, deformed, dead or near death and so on. Other eggswere marked and tracked for observations through hatchery operations upto hatching, if that occurred, and then continuing on with the emergingpoult for about six days after. The findings of that experience aregraphically shown in part by FIG. 6.

[0046] To turn to FIG. 3, it is a graph obtainable from a display of theabove-described signal analyzer. Generally the signal analyzer can bereckoned in many ways as PC computing system. The display comprises anattached monitor and the graphs shown in FIGS. 3 through 5 hereof aresimulative of screen print-outs. The FIG. 3 graph shows a profile ofdetected signal strength versus time for the special case of the sourcesignal shooting across the gap to the detector without interruption byan object such as an egg. The graph therefore illustrates an examplereference profile of detected signal strength versus time for suchset-up factors as the current air temperature and humidity as well asamong various other things such as the distance of the gap between thetransducers. This profile allows analysis of very basic values such astime-of-flight or velocity of the source signal and diminishment of thesource signal across the gap.

[0047]FIG. 4 shows a comparable profile except being a representativeexample of what is obtained for a quality or qualified egg. As matter ofgeneral interest, about 99.9% and more the source signal's strength isdiminished. Much of the source signal's energy is reflected by the shellwhere the source signal originally slams into the left side of the egg(ie., left according to the perspective of FIG. 1). That much which isdetected by the detector produces a profile as shown by FIG. 4 in thetypical case of a quality or qualified egg. The twin peaks appearing inthe information portion of the detected signal (ie., to the left of thegate) provide steady strong signals. In essence, the egg shell appearsto ring strong and steady on at least one or two characteristic peaks.The portion of the profile to right of the gate is noise. It mightcomprise echos of the source signal as scattered about by theenvironment. The profile of FIG. 4 permits various techniques ofanalysis including without limitation an integrated response analysis ofone selected peak, or alternatively an integrated response across aselected bandwidth as encompassing two peaks and so on.

[0048] In contrast, FIG. 5 shows an illustrative case of an unqualifiedegg. In FIG. 5, the information portion of the detected signal (ie., tothe left of the gate) is weak and unsteady all across the spectrum. Atleast one peak is apparent but it is unsteady and appears to dance onthe screen. Indeed the peak dances left and right and might grow andrecede in very quick time. Such a nub of a peak that dances so does notallow close integrated response analysis because the values areevidently too unsteady to average. One way to reckon the behavior of anunqualified egg is the detected signal appears to “clang” unsteadily andnot ring true and strong, something akin to the clang of a cheap metaltray dropped on the floor.

[0049]FIG. 6 as mentioned previously is a graph showing a profile ofhatchlings lost (per 100,000 eggs) versus time based on data pertainingto turkey operations. Day 29 represents ordinary hatching time. Betweenday 0 and day 29 the profile has a bathtub shape. Presumptively thesteeply dropping original part of the profile represents cases of dead,dying or deformed blastoderm due to matters present from the start. Thesteeply climbing part of the curve approaching day 29 is presumptivelydue to matters such as contaminated, diseased or dehydrated eggs. Days28 through 30 might roughly correspond to “pip alive” deaths, or pipstoo weak to struggle out of the egg shell or terminally failingimmediately thereafter. Days 31 through the end of the record generallycorrespond to hatchlings emerging dehydrated or diseased and otherwisetoo unhealthy too persist.

[0050] It is an aspect of the invention that problems with eggs andhatchlings through about day 35 (ie., the sixth or so day after expectedhatching time) can be reasonably determined from an ultrasound qualityinspection in accordance with the invention taken during the transferoperation between brood and hatchery operations, or on about day 0.Actual trials support this.

[0051] On the other hand, the non-contact ultrasound trials to date havefailed to show any correlation between integrated response (IR)measurement and gender of live poults.

[0052]FIG. 7 is a block diagram flow chart of a method 50 in accordancewith the invention that utilizes ultrasound quality inspection of avianeggs.

[0053] Briefly, eggs are collected immediately as practicable at thebrood farm after laying. Nowadays while the eggs are transferred fromthe brood farm to the hatchery they go through an intermediary processwhere they are washed and sterilized (not shown). The method 50 inaccordance with the invention is preferably situated to operate on theeggs before the washing and sanitizing station. Hence in FIG. 7, theeggs are collected and fed to a conveying apparatus 52 as known in theart. FIG. 1 shows the eggs 51 transported in a suitable orientation andin a regular pattern or registry, both of which factors are desirable asmore particularly described below.

[0054] Referring again to FIG. 7, the eggs are conveyed to an ultrasoundstation 54. Ultrasound inspection transpires, the results of which areanalyzed by an analyzer or processor. The analyzer is configured to makea finding as described above in connection with FIG. 4 by means of anintegrated response (IR) analysis of the steady peak or peaks of theinformation portion of the detected signal.

[0055] Generally speaking, in FIG. 4 the first peak in time (eg., at˜222 μsec as distinguished from the peak at ˜235 μsec) ) has beendiscovered to most strongly correlate with egg shell quality. Hence thefirst peak in time might correspond to primary characteristic mode ofoscillation whereas the second peak in time might correspond to asecondary mode, although to date this has not been established eitherway. Nevertheless, the IR analysis correlates one or more qualitycriterion(ia). The quality findings are preferably utilized for aprocess to make one of three choices:-namely, that the egg is qualifiedfor passing on through to the hatchery, or alternatively that the egg isnot qualified for hatching but is otherwise gradable for other use suchas pet food, or else that the egg is unusable and hence waste.

[0056] The quality findings obtained by the method 50 in accordance withthe invention are shown by trials to correlate to various poor qualityfactors with egg shells, including things as cracks, micro-fractures,and undue porosity or thinness and so on. These same poor qualityfactors are also known to correlate to risk of contamination by, forexample and without limitation, salmonella. Eggs at risk to salmonellacontamination are unusable for any purpose and hence waste.

[0057] Returning to FIG. 7, the eggs are sorted based on the findings ofthe ultrasound station by a sorter 56 which sorts each according to thecorresponding finding. Sorting can be accomplished in accordance withvarious routine ways known in the art. Referring to FIG. 1, the sameinverted suction cup which lifts the egg for ultrasound inspection mightalso be utilized sorting duties. Alternatively, a successive invertedsuction cup (not shown in FIG. 1) might be utilized for this duty orelse a carousel and so on. Persons ordinarily skilled in the art couldreadily devise routine other ways for doing so.

[0058] Whereas FIG. 7 shows three dispositions for eggs this is done somerely for convenience in the drawings and the invention is not limitedto sorting the eggs into any indefinite number of categories accordingto given criteria.

[0059] Yet in FIG. 7, preferably the premium quality eggs are hatcheryquality and this includes being of sufficient quality for humanconsumption. Correlation results show that such eggs are fertile andhave the pre-requisite shell quality to hatch and provide a healthyhatchling through at least the first several days after emerging fromthe shell. Those eggs which fail the premium quality standards mightnext be considered if unusable. Unusable eggs are preferably discarded.However, if the egg has an intermediate quality, it remains fit forperhaps other use such as pet consumption and can be sorted for such.

[0060] In view of the foregoing, the results of the ultrasoundinspection 54 are analyzed by an analyzer 54 or 55 or other informationprocessor or controller 55 to make a finding correlatable to the egg'sshell quality. The egg's shell quality in turn is correlatable to suchgrading factors as grading for fertility or hatching or hatchlingviability. In more accurate language, the relationship between egg shellquality and indications of fertility or hatching or hatchling viabilitymight be alternatively referred to as an association. The associationbetween the egg's shell quality obtained from the detected signal ofultrasound apparatus 54 and the grading for fertility or hatching orhatchling viability is accomplished by pre-programmed routines and datastored on and executed by the information processor 55. Such routinesand data would be based on the trials previously conducted as well asrefined as time extends by further experience with the practice of themethod and use of the apparatus 50 in accordance with the invention.

[0061] It is an aspect of the invention that the ultrasound inspectionis preferably transacted as soon as the eggs are collected from thebrood farm. That way, the grading or sorting decision is made as earlyas possible to extract out the sub-grade eggs before any more resourcesare expended on them. Accordingly the invention provides advantageousoptimization of efficiency especially for high-volume poultry and turkeyoperation in which optimization and efficiency are paramount.

[0062] The invention having been disclosed in connection with theforegoing variations and examples, additional variations will now beapparent to persons skilled in the art. The invention is not intended tobe limited to the variations specifically mentioned, and accordinglyreference should be made to the appended claims rather than theforegoing discussion of preferred examples, to assess the scope of theinvention in which exclusive rights are claimed.

I claim:
 1. A method for determining whether avian eggs are qualified orunqualified for a premium quality based on shell characteristics,comprising the steps of: providing a plurality of the eggs; oscillatingthe shells of each egg by a non-contacting source of ultrasonic waves toproduce such a signal from the oscillating shells that is detectable bya non-contacting detector; and determining whether each egg is qualifiedor not from analysis of the signal.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein thedetected signal comprises an information portion that is analyzed for apositive indication comprising at least one sufficiently steady andstrong peak.
 3. The method of claim 2 wherein the analysis furthercomprises integrated response (IR) analysis of the detected signal. 4.The method of claim 2 wherein the positive indication is correlatable toa given quality determination of egg shell quality which in turn isassociated with such a quality determination of the avian egg asrelating to fertility or hatching or hatchling viability.
 5. The methodof claim 1 wherein the detected signal comprises an information portionthat is analyzed for either or both a positive indication comprising atleast one sufficiently steady and strong peak and/or a negativeindication comprising relatively unsteady and weak signals across thewidth of the information portion.
 6. The method of claim 1 wherein eggsqualified for premium quality are graduated to hatchery operations. 7.Premium quality eggs determined according to the method of claim
 1. 8. Amethod for sorting out sub-grade avian eggs from premium grade avianeggs comprising the steps of: providing a plurality of the eggs;disposing each egg in the path of a non-contacting source of ultrasonicwaves and in relative proximity to a non-contacting detector of a signalobtained from the egg under the influence of the ultrasonic waves; andsorting the eggs as premium grade or sub-grade based upon analysis ofthe detected signal.
 9. The method of claim 8 wherein the detectedsignal is transformable into a profile of detected signal strengthversus time, which profile comprises an information portion that isanalyzed for a positive indication of premium grade comprising at leastone sufficiently steady and strong peak.
 10. The method of claim 9wherein the analysis further comprises integrated response (IR) analysisof the detected signal's strength versus time values.
 11. The method ofclaim 9 wherein the positive indication of premium grade is correlatableto egg shell quality which in turn is associated with such a qualitydetermination of the avian egg as relating to fertility or hatching orhatchling viability.
 12. The method of claim 8 wherein the detectedsignal is transformable into a profile of detected signal strengthversus time, which profile comprises an information portion that isanalyzed for either or both a positive indication of premium gradecomprising at least one sufficiently steady and strong peak and/or anegative indication of premium grade comprising relatively unsteady andweak signals across the width of the information portion.
 13. The methodof claim 8 wherein eggs sorted into the premium grade are graduated tohatchery operations.
 14. Premium grade eggs sorted according to themethod of claim
 8. 15. Apparatus for determining premium grade avianeggs from sub-grade avian eggs comprising: a source of ultrasonic wavesand an opposed ultrasonic detector in the path thereof spacedsufficiently to admit therebetween an egg without contact from either,wherein the egg produces a signal detectable by the detector in responseto blocking the path of the ultrasonic waves from the source; and aprocessor for determining the eggs as premium grade or not based uponanalysis of the detected signal.
 16. The apparatus of claim 15 whereinthe processor includes services of an analyzer that transforms thedetected signal into a profile comprising signal strength versus time,which profile comprises an information portion that is analyzed for apositive indication of premium grade comprising at least onesufficiently steady and strong peak.
 17. The apparatus of claim 16wherein the analyzer further undertakes integrated response (IR)analysis of the detected signal's strength versus time values.
 18. Theapparatus of claim 16 wherein the positive indication of premium gradeis correlatable to egg shell quality which in turn is associated withsuch a quality determination of the avian egg as relating to fertilityor hatching or hatchling viability.
 19. The apparatus of claim 15wherein the processor includes services of an analyzer that transformsthe detected signal into a profile of detected signal strength versustime, which profile comprises an information portion that is analyzedfor either or both a positive indication of premium grade comprising atleast one sufficiently steady and strong peak and/or a negativeindication of premium grade comprising relatively unsteady and weaksignals across the width of the information portion.
 20. The apparatusof claim 15 wherein eggs sorted into the premium grade are graduated tohatchery operations.